Supporting walkers through to marathon runners

FOR The Running Company owner Julian Spence, the most rewarding part of working in a running store is watching a customer’s journey into the sport.

“We might first see somebody come in store as a walker with aspirations to start some running during their walks,” he said.

“A couple months later they’re back asking questions about Parkrun and then it might be full steam ahead into a half marathon.

“We become their safe space. Somewhere to come and nerd out on running shoes, gels, training plans, running groups and trails. We see it in their eyes once they’re hooked – all runners understand what I’m talking about.”

 

The Running Company has two locations in the area – Pakington Street in Geelong West which was founded in 2010, and the 2014 store in Torquay’s Haystacks Drive.

The stores are owned by local Surf Coast runners Julian Spence and his wife Brianne and are fully staffed by footwear experts who take pride in understanding the needs of both runners and walkers.

Spence, who is born, bred and still lives in Anglesea understands how important bricks and mortar businesses are in local communities like the Surf Coast.

 

“Online shopping is great for convenience – we’re not denying that – but having spent the last 15 years in a business that focuses on personalised service, we know there’s something very special about having positive human-to-human interactions,” he said.

“Shoes need to be touched, felt, flexed, assessed, tried on, walked in, run in and compared with others. We know that a customer’s intuition with shoes is so important to the fitting process.”

There’s also a technical element to the in-store experience at The Running Company.

Staff will expertly measure a customer’s foot – most people are wearing shoes much too small – and then conduct a treadmill assessment using digital analysis software, with a variety of shoes.

 

Suitability depends on your gait pattern, injury history, running experience and goals, the terrain you use them on, as well as the most important aspect: how the shoe feels on your foot.

“Buying a pair of shoes can be overwhelming with the hundreds of options out there. We’re here to take the guesswork out of things for you and make it a fun experience,” Spence said.

You’ll find The Running Company Torquay at 3/1 Haystacks Drive and The Running Company Geelong at 2/226 Pakington Street, Geelong West.

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